Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters-Chapter 1146 - 631 He Still Wants More_2
Chapter 1146 -631 He Still Wants More_2
As veterans, Siakam disappointed the team for most of his rookie season.
Compared to Antetokounmpo, who was also born in 1994, his performance on the court seemed reckless, although Antetokounmpo had already become an All-Star starter.
Siakam was overly confident in his talent, but the NBA is another matter.
He approached NBA games with an NCAA mindset, which naturally led to shocking outcomes.
After a season of harsh learning, Siakam developed an apprentice mindset, practically starting from zero to rebuild his game philosophy.
Though the journey was tough, it successfully transformed his play style by season’s end.
He started to play like a modern inside player, utilizing his excellent physical conditions to expand his defensive coverage, and knowing that in the NBA, only attacking with his dominant hand could pose a threat, hence he resolutely abandoned the fancy maneuvers with his non-dominant hand.
These changes enabled him to average 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block per game as a substitute towards the season’s end, essentially meeting the expectations of the Clippers.
As for Brogdon, this 24-year-old rookie, now 25, should really consider taking his talents overseas if he doesn’t have immediate fighting power.
The 2016 draft was considered mediocre before it started, resulting in the first pick, Ben Simmons, being out for the season due to injury, and the second pick, Brandon Ingram, though hailed as the next Durant, seemed far from rookie Durant’s level. Other players also failed to make their mark in their rookie season, making Brogdon’s performance of averaging 10 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists as a substitute for a dynasty team in pursuit of a three-peat particularly outstanding.
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As one of the only two rookies to average double-digit scoring, he almost locked in the Rookie of the Year title.
Yu Fei became the perfect companion for young players.
If Siakam was in good form, he would frequently pass the ball to him.
When Little Curry was on a hot streak, he would also receive additional support.
George Karl, now a thin-legged Twitter old man, after seeing such a Yu Fei, expressed on social media, “How much can time change things? Just look at Frye in 2017 versus Frye in 2002.”
Karl’s statement was quite cryptic.
Back in his Bucks days, Yu Fei, an uncontested ball hog, the entire team had to serve him, expecting him to serve others? That would depend on his mood.
However, Karl witnessed every stage of Yu Fei’s transformation.
From the ball hog days with the Bucks, to adjusting positions to coexist with Roy and to provide Durant with a nurturing environment during his time with the SuperSonics, and now, this player once criticized by academic coaches as selfish, played like Larry Bird.
With stunning efficiency and less ball-handling time, he delivered breathtaking performances.
In the penultimate regular season game, Yu Fei scored his season-high of 49 points in Portland, in front of Roy.
At that time, Roy, dressed in a suit, was indifferent to the outcome of the game.
Then, Roy held a press conference after the game to announce his retirement.
At the same time, the Seattle SuperSonics eagerly announced they would retire Roy’s jersey next season.
Although Yu Fei clearly stated he would not retire his jersey from Clay Bennett’s team, Roy couldn’t be as decisive.
Even though Bennett couldn’t let him finish his career in Seattle, Roy accepted this cost-free kindness.
Some fans began to reminisce about the bygone Supersonic Dynasty.
From 2007 to 2013, how many changes occurred in just six years.
And from 2013 to the present, only four years have passed, yet the SuperSonics went from being the most respected team to one that even Kyrie Irving didn’t want to stay with.
They remained in Seattle, obtained the best arena in the League, but the team’s status regressed to pre-2007.
If greatness indeed has an expiration date, isn’t this expiration too short?
All questions need time, Yu Fei once again wished Roy well on social media, then the Clippers announced the GOAT would rest in the last two games of the season.
Thus, Yu Fei’s stats for the 2016-17 season were fixed at 80 games, averaging 32 minutes, 25 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 0.6 blocks per game.
It’s worth mentioning that Yu Fei successfully entered the 35,000 points club this season, ranking fourth in history.
With his form, if he plays one more season, he could definitely break Karl Malone’s record; another season, and Jabbar’s record would also be surpassed. Once Kobe retires, he would claim the NBA’s all-time scoring title.
However, Yu Fei had no attachment to this title.
Because he really didn’t need the all-time scoring title to prove he had a longer prime.
Some players who try to surpass others by prolonging their prime often lack a despair-inducing peak.
Now, Jordan has been far left behind.
The GOAT status is as solid as Mount Tai, and the title of all-time scoring king, akin to the “longest river,” does not even pique his interest.
Thus, he completely ignored the blueprint others painted for him.
After two games, the Clippers, even with Yu Fei resting, still managed consecutive wins, ultimately finishing second in the League with 68 wins and 14 losses.
The Miami Heat ranked first with a record of 70 wins and 12 losses.
Kobe ultimately did not fulfill his trash talk.
He said during the All-Star weekend out of spite to Yu Fei, “See you in the playoffs,” yet ended up ninth in the Western Conference due to a tiebreaker issue, narrowly missing the playoffs.
